are gathered into that ark of the church which Christ's promise will preserve in safety. What has been said, therefore, of American publications generally, must not be supposed to refer to the books issuing from that church, but chiefly to those which emanate, like that now noticed, from one of the different sects in that land.

An Universal History from the Creation to A.D. 1828; divided into twenty one periods, at the most remarkable epochs of the world. By Edward Quin, M.A. of Magdalen Hall, Oxford. London: Seeleys. 1838. 12mo. pp. 372. WONDERS will never cease! Here is an universal history in the shape of a pocket volume. It is only right to say that the information which it does give is carefully put together. It is the letter press which accompanied an historical atlas, which was a series of maps illustrating the condition of the earth at various periods.

A New Derivative and Etymological Dictionary of such English Words as have their origin in the Greek and Latin Languages, arranged according to the number of syllables, with the words accented. By J. Rowbotham, F.R.A.S., &c. London: Longman and Co. 12mo. 1838.

In looking over this dictionary one is almost inclined to divide words into such as every body of common education know, and such as nobody ever meets with. It contains, however, an etymology of the words it adduces, and a plain sensible explanation of them, which, to those who do not know Latin and Greek may be of use, although to the reviewer it does not seem that any such book was particularly needed. This, however, is only a matter of opinion, and if any one wishes for an explanation of the class of words treated of here, he will do well to buy this volume.

Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians, including their Private Life, Government, Laws, Arts, Manufacture, Religion, and early History, derived from a comparison of the paintings, sculpture, and monuments still existing, with the accounts of ancient authors. By J. G. Wilkinson, F.R.S. M.R.S. Author of 'A General View of Egypt,' and the 'Topography of Thebes,' &c. In 3 vols. London: Murray. 8vo. 1838.

MR. WILKINSON, in publishing this work, has done more to make us acquainted with ancient Egypt than all the works published before. It is a sort of re-vivification of that extraordinary nation-a picture painted to the life, because painted by themselves. We are all of us aware how curious and interesting the subjects of the paintings in the tombs &c. are, but few, probably, had any notion of their extent. There seems to be hardly any subject of daily life which is not represented. Their dresses, houses, gardens, feasts, musical instruments, sports, trades, military tactics, &c., are all to be found represented in Mr. Wilkinson's book, from ancient paintings. The wood-cuts, which are literally by the hundred, and coloured plates, are beautiful. Some few of the lithographs are not quite so good. But altogether, such a picture of an ancient people cannot be paralleled.

Into Mr. Wilkinson's chronological researches it is impossible, in such a notice, to enter. But one may speak with high praise of his

industry, research, and learning; and, above all, of the proper tone with which he speaks of scripture. He throws out a suggestion, founded on a close examination of the words of scripture, that Pharaoh himself did not enter the Red Sea, but, having conducted his army to that spot, sent it forward under his chief captains. Mr. W.'s great argument is, that while the death of the chief captains is mentioned in the song of triumph, that of Pharaoh is not. The reviewer could not assent to one of Mr. W.'s remarks on the expression of the psalms. Whether it necessarily implies the death of Pharaoh is another question.

Bible Quadrupeds; the Natural History of the Animals mentioned in Scripture, (with sixteen engravings by S. Williams.) London: Tilt. 12mo. pp. 271.

1838.

THE engravings of this little volume are very beautiful wood-cuts, which do Mr. Williams great credit. The letter-press is amusing enough, and contains many interesting anecdotes of animals; though, as the preface acknowledges, they have little to do with scripture. But the animals selected are those mentioned, or supposed to be mentioned, in scripture; and there are generally some observations on the passages in which the mention occurs.

AMONG single Sermons may be mentioned those of Mr. Melvill and Mr. Dale on National Education. Like everything which comes from Mr. Melvill, there are many striking parts and passages in his sermon on this subject. Mr. Dale's sound and valuable sermon will also be useful.

Dr. Tancred has addressed a good letter to Lord Melbourne on the subject of National Education.

Messrs. Oliver and Boyd have published a series of Reading Books, (in number form,) for the use of schools, by Mr. M'Culloch, the minister of Kelso, and formerly head master of the Circus-place School, Edinburgh. This gentleman is the compiler, also, of other elementary books for English reading, which have passed through many editions. They are intended to give lessons not only in reading, but, by selecting scientific as well as miscellaneous pieces, to familiarize young people with astronomy, mechanics, natural history, and a great deal besides. To those who think this a judicious course these books will be acceptable, and partially supplant Lindley Murray.

Bucquet's French Guide, published by the same booksellers, is something similar in its plan. The lessons on the senses and the geography may be read, but the long chapters on construction, style, &c., will prove a dead letter.

There has just appeared, in one volume, 12mo, Taylor's Holy Living and Dying, altered and adapted for general use, by Mr. Hale. Mr. Hale, in publishing this work, has done a great practical service, for scarcely a more valuable practical work exists, and yet there is much in it which one could wish otherwise; and there can be little doubt

that for those who use the book, not with a reference to its literary, but its religious merit, this will be the standard edition hereafter.

Three parts of Scripture Illustrations, a series of engravings on steel and wood, with explanations and remarks by the Rev. J. A. La Trobe, (published by Seeleys and others) have been received. The woodcuts are certainly beautiful, and the explanations very good. It would perhaps be better to confine the plates to landscapes.

DOCUMENTS.

CHURCH COMMISSION.

Whitehall, 18 December, 1837...

"SIR,-I am directed by Lord John Russell to desire that you will place in the hands of the ecclesiastical commissioners for England all the papers of the late commission of inquiry into the state of the established church in England and Wales, with reference to ecclesiastical duties and revenues, which had expired in consequence of the demise of the crown.

"Lord John Russell has likewise directed me to request that you will transmit to this office a copy of any further report, or materials for a further report, which may have been prepared by the late commissioners. You will, of course, inform his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury of this request; and should there be any objection to furnish a copy of such paper or papers, you will have the goodness to state it for the information of Lord John Russell. "I am, &c. "C. K. Murray, Esq." (signed)

"F. MAULE."

"5, Whitehall-place, 19 December, 1837. “SIR,—In pursuance of the directions of Lord John Russell, conveyed to me in your letter of yesterday's date, I have placed in the hands of the ecclesiastical commissioners for England, all the papers of the late commission of inquiry into the state of the established church in England and Wales, with reference to ecclesiastical duties and revenues, to which I was secretary.

"I have the honour also to comply with Lord John Russell's request, contained in the latter part of your letter, by herewith transmitting to the office of the secretary of state for the home department, the copy of a Draft of a Fifth Report, which had been prepared by the commissioners under that commission. "I have, &c.

"The Hon. Fox Maule, &c. &c. &c."

(signed)

"C. K. MURRAY."

The Draft of a Fifth Report prepared by the Commissioners appointed to consider the state of the Established Church in England and Wales, with reference to Ecclesiastical Revenues. Presented to Parliament December 22, 1837.

WE, your Majesty's commissioners, appointed to consider the state of the established church in England and Wales, with reference to ecclesiastical duties and revenues, having carefully reviewed such of the recommendations contained in our former reports as have not yet received the sanction of the legislature, and having attentively considered the various observations upon them which have been communicated to us from different quarters, now humbly offer to your Majesty this our fifth report.

CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES.

We have received memorials from many of the chapters, a list of which we annex. In several of these memorials objections are urged against our recommendations in general, as affecting cathedral and collegiate churches, while some of them press for the abandonment or modification of particular propositions.

After having given our best attention to all these suggestions, we have not, except in certain cases, which we will proceed to notice, thought them supported by reasons outweighing those on which we founded our former recommendations to your Majesty.

There is one point respecting which we regret to observe that great dissatisfaction is expressed in most of these memorials. We allude to our proposition for limiting the description of persons capable of being presented to benefices in the patronage of chapters, and providing that, when no member of a chapter, or person immediately connected with it, should be found ready and qualified to accept a vacant benefice in its gift, the right of presenting to such benefice should, for that term, lapse to the diocesan; to be exercised only in favour of some deserving clergyman who should have served in the diocese, either as incumbent or curate, for not less than five years.

We are still of opinion that the proposed plan will be beneficial to the interests of the church, by improving the condition of the minor canons, and 'by placing additional means of rewarding laborious clergymen in the hands of those who have the best opportunities of appreciating their services as parochial ministers, while it will leave to every dean and chapter the choice of all the livings in their gift for themselves, and for every clergyman connected with the service of the cathedral.

Although we retain our opinion in favour of the measure itself, the time of carrying the alteration into effect may be open to further consideration. We were aware that, in this respect, our former recommendation deviated, in some degree, from the principle of preserving existing rights, but we found no alternative open to us, supposing this plan to be adopted, except either to bring it into immediate operation, or to postpone it in each chapter until all the present members of such chapter should be removed. The sacrifice which would have been made on the part of the chapters appeared to us to be so greatly outweighed by the advantages which were contemplated in the proposed change, that we deemed it inexpedient to defer it to a remote period. Finding, however, the degree of dissatisfaction which has arisen, we think it advisable to revert to the principle above stated, and to recommend that the plan which we propose shall not come into operation in any chapter until after the expiration of the interest of every existing member.

The effect of the modified proposition which we now offer will be, that while the crown and the bishops will immediately relinquish their right of patronage, with respect to the preferments which it is proposed to suppress, the existing members of the chapter will during their incumbency, retain theirs with respect to the benefices, the advowsons of which belong to them in their corporate character; and in some chapters they will enjoy, as the numbers of the canons shall be reduced, an increase of patronage proportionate to that reduction.

Another amendment of this proposition has been suggested to us by the warden and senate of the University of Durham; namely, that on the same grounds on which other chapters are to have the right of presenting to livings in their gift the masters of grammar-schools attached to their respective churches, the chapter of Durham should be allowed to present to any of their benefices any professor or other teacher of the University of Durham who shall have been five years in holy orders, and shall have filled his professorship for an equal period. This appears to us to be reasonable; and further, that the same chapter should be allowed to present deserving clergymen, who have VOL. XIII.-March, 1838. 2 s

been educated at that university, and are licentiates or graduates in theology therein.

A memorial has also been presented to us, numerously signed by priests and deacons residing in the University of Oxford, suggesting that time spent at the universities in theological studies or tuition, should be allowed as a qualification for holding any chapter living which may be at the disposal of a bishop under the terms of the proposition last referred to, instead of parochial service in the particular diocese.

To this suggestion we cannot accede consistently with the principle upon which our recommendation proceeded; namely, that the bishop should have additional means of rewarding those who have laboured meritoriously within his own diocese.

Upon the principle of respect to existing rights, we propose also to modify our recommendation, for vesting in the bishop the direct appointment of residentiaries, wherever they have heretofore been elected by the chapter, ont of the existing prebendaries nominated by the bishop, by deferring the operation of the measure so long as any one of the present members of the chapter shall remain, or until there shall be a failure of persons qualified to be so elected.

We propose, also, that wherever, according to our former proposition, it may be deemed expedient to divide any benefice in the patronage of a chapter, the apportionment of the income shall not take place without the consent of the chapter, so long as any one of the present members thereof shall remain.

Objections have been made to our proposition respecting the alteration of the statutes of the several chapters in certain particulars, on the ground that we have not required that the consent of the chapter should in every case be first given.

It will be observed that our proposition extended only to cases in which some alteration will be indispensably necessary, in order to render the statutes consistent with the altered constitution and duties of the chapters. It was moreover provided that the new statutes should not take effect until they should have been submitted to the ecclesiastical commissioners, and should have received the sanction of your Majesty in council. We certainly did not intend that the proposed power, guarded as it was, should ever be exercised except upon communication with each chapter respecting its own case; indeed, we thought it probable that in every instance the first motion for an alteration would proceed from the chapter itself, when it should, from the gradual decrease in the number of its body, feel the inapplicability of the existing statutes. We have, however, no difficulty in altering our recommendation, so as to remove this ground of complaint.

Another point upon which anxiety has been expressed, is the disposal of such residence houses, in the precincts of the respective cathedral and collegiate churches, as may no longer be required, and the distribution and appropriation of those which may be retained.

The situation and circumstances of these houses in the several cities and towns, differ so greatly from each other, that it is very difficult to prescribe any rule which will be applicable to all cases. We conceive that a discretionary power might be safely confided, in such a matter, to your Majesty in council, on the recommendation of the ecclesiastical commissioners. It could scarcely be anticipated that such power would be exercised to sanction the disposal or appropriation of any house within a college or cathedral precinct in any mode which would be offensive to the remaining members of the body. We are, however, prepared to recommend that these houses should be disposed of according to a plan to be proposed by the chapter to which they belong, and approved of by their visitor and by the ecclesiastical commissioners.

It was stated, or rather assumed, in our second report, that the dean and the individual prebendaries of Durham possessed estates separate from those